As the former Soviet Union faces tough sanctions from the Obama Administration and European Union (EU) in the wake of Russia’s annexation of Crimea and incursion into Eastern Ukraine, Putin threatens the United States . The Russian president fired off more ominous rhetoric as his country’s Ruble and economy continue to suffer. Vladimir Putin warns that the continued “hostile” posturing from the West and its partners could have “nuclear consequences.”
Putin sat for an interview with Serbian newspaper Politika this week. Among the topics discussed were the coup d’état in Ukraine, which “is a worrying example of growing neo-Nazi tendencies in Eastern Europe,” the “open manifestations” of neo-Nazism in Baltic states, and the natural gas impasse with Ukraine.
However, one of the most stunning parts of the chat — and focus of Western Journalism’s coverage — was Putin’s subtle warning of nuclear destabilization with the West and EU partners. The Russian head has been ratcheting up talk lately about his country’s nuclear arsenal and prowess in a show of force against the U.S. superpower.
WJ is of the belief that the war-like rhetoric from Vladmir Putin is influenced by his country’s weakened state in wake of economic and individual sanctions imposed by the Obama Administration and U.S. partners. The writer cites Russia’s misaligned deals with the People’s Republic of China, Russia’s recession, and falling prices of crude. Reportedly, the Kremlin, like a “bear being threatened,” is backed into a corner, and the only way out at this point in time is for the country to flex its nuclear capabilities. Apparently, since the “illegal” annexation of Crimea, Russia has begun moving atomic weapons into the country.
Pressured into responding to sanctions and international involvement in sovereign affairs, Putin believes the way out of failed diplomatic solutions is to remind the world of its nuclear capability, and what an ongoing impasse means to strategic partnerships and stability beyond regional lines.
The interviewer posed a fundamental question to Vladimir Putin about the outlook of possibly resetting peace talks with the West. “What do you think the future holds for Russian-Ukrainian relations ? Will the United States and Russia re-establish a strategic partnership after all that has happened, or will they build their relations in a different way?”
Putin warns that unilateral threats and imposing of sanctions do little to bolster agreement on foreign policy issues, and will only result in unintended consequences. He insists that his country is still open to talks that are of mutual benefit to all nations involved in the Ukrainian crisis.
“The United States went so far as to declare the suspension of our cooperation in space exploration and nuclear energy. They also suspended the activity of the Russia-US Bilateral Presidential Commission established in 2009, which comprised 21 working groups dedicated, among other things, to combating terrorism and drug trafficking.
“At the same time, this is not the first downturn in relations between our countries. We hope that our partners will realize the futility of attempts to blackmail Russia and remember what consequences discord between major nuclear powers could bring for strategic stability. For our part, we are ready to develop constructive cooperation based on the principles of equality and genuine respect for each others’ interests.”
Both Iran and North Korea have warned of preemptive attacks on America in the past. But when Putin threatens the United States, it resonates with higher degrees of credibility, and undoubtedly, the world is listening.
[Image via: PoliticalMadness ]